Edinburgh Castle is joining global landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House later this month to help raise awareness of the issue of climate change.

The Castle is taking part in Earth Hour, a WWF event, which invites communities, cities and landmarks around the world to switch off their lights for an hour to show their support for action on climate change.

Edinburgh Castle is one of a number of Historic Scotland attractions that will be turning off their floodlights on Saturday 23rd March 2013 between 8.30pm and 9.30pm. Other participating Historic Scotland sites range from Stirling Castle to Ruthven Barracks.

Launched in Australia back in 2007, Earth Hour has grown to be a global phenomenon with hundreds of millions of people around the world participating.

This year, Earth Hour is focussing on the power of nature and the way we can reduce global carbon emissions by moving away from fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy.

Susan Loch, Head of Visitor Operations for Historic Scotland said;

“We are delighted to be once again supporting Earth Hour by turning off the floodlights at a number of our properties.

“It is a great event that brings people together from around the globe and centres attention on our planet and looks at ways we can protect it.

“As an agency, Historic Scotland is committed to looking at ways to reduce our carbon emissions..

“Last year we launched our Climate Change Action Plan and reducing energy use in our buildings is a key part of this.”

Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government charged with safeguarding the nation’s historic environment. The agency is fully accountable to Scottish Ministers and through them to the Scottish Parliament.